Moldable self-adhering fastener cover and installation method

ABSTRACT

A pliable flat disk of laminated construction having a thin top layer of deformable material bonded to a relatively thicker intermediate layer of pliable adhesive sealant material and a removable bottom layer of release paper covering the exposed surface of the sealant material is deformed during installation to cover and seal the head of a fastener protruding from a surface. The disk is installed and deformed by a tool having an end with a recess slightly deeper than the height of the head of the fastener and an interior slightly larger than the outer periphery of the head of the fastener. The release paper is removed to expose the adhesive sealant material and the flat disk is generally centered and stuck, adhesive side down, onto the fastener head. The tool is then centered above the disk and fastener head and pressed downwardly with a twisting motion to deform the flat disk to encompass and conform substantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and cover a surface radially surrounding the fastener head such that the deformed disk is adhered to the fastener head and to the radially surrounding surface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tight seal between the fastener head and the radially surrounding surface and to prevent relative movement therebetween. It will also cover and seal a washer if one is used with the fastener.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/604,405 filed Feb. 21, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,908.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to protective caps and fastener covers,and more particularly to a fastener cover which is initially in the formof a moldable flat disk having an adhesive sealant on its bottom surfacewhich is deformed over the head of a fastener with a tool that deformsthe disk to completely encapsulate the head of the fastener and theradially surrounding surface to create an air-tight and liquid-tightseal and prevent loosening and relative movement therebetween.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Headed fasteners such as bolts are commonly used in many outdoorinstallations where they are exposed to the harmful effects of theweather, such as fastening metal roofing and siding panels to theframework of building structures. If the head of the fastener isuncovered, thermal expansion and contraction due to exposure totemperature variations will often cause the fastener to become loose,and moisture can seep into the structure around the head of the loosefastener. Moisture can cause the fastener to rust or corrode and allowsmildew to form around the fastener. Moisture also causes galvanic actionbetween dissimilar metals which leads to corrosion.

The manual application of a caulking or sealing compound and theapplication of a poly-cloth around each individual fastener are commonmethods of sealing or protecting the heads of the fasteners. Thesemethods are time consuming, unreliable, expensive, and unsightly. Also,prolonged exposure to extreme temperature variations, ultraviolet light,and moisture will often cause decay of the caulking or sealingcompounds.

There are several patents which disclose various devices and methods forencasing the heads of fasteners.

Fletcher, U.S. Pat. No. 152,737 discloses a nut-lock which has apreformed hemispherical cup-shaped center with a radially extendingcircular flange indented with a series of radial cavities and a cut-awayportion. The circular flange portion is compressed around the threadedportion of a bolt, above the nut to prevent the nut from being loosened.

Painaud, U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,647 discloses a preformed cap having apreformed cylindrical cavity at the center with a radially extendingcircular flange and a depending inwardly curved peripheral skirt at thebottom end. Upon striking the device, the inwardly curved skirt deformsinwardly underneath the head of the fastener in a space defined by ashoulder formed on the underside of the fastener head.

Gutshall, U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,492 discloses a preformed capped fastenerformed of resilient flexible material which is mounted with a snap fiton the head of a fastener and has a yieldable central web on the topsurface which gives way to permit a driver to be inserted into a driverecess on the head of the fastener.

Voller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,690 discloses a preformed capped bolt formedof rigid thermoplastic material which surrounds the head of the bolt andhas an annular lip which cold flows to engage the threaded shank of thebolt when the nut is tightened on the bolt.

Johnston, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,929 discloses a preformed dome-shapedbolt and nut cover formed of flexible resilient material which has aninterior cavity with a lower portion which surrounds the nut and anupper portion which engages the threaded shank of the bolt extending outof the nut to prevent the cover from being removed.

Carlozzo et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,348 discloses a preformed protectivecap having a dome-shaped central portion surrounded by a flat annularflange. The cap is formed of a top layer of non-woven polyester fabricmaterial, an underlying layer of a tacky unvulcanized butyl rubbercompound, and a removable release liner of polyethylene film coveringthe bottom surface of the butyl rubber compound. The dome-shaped centralportion is manually pressed about the bolt head.

Bell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,644 discloses a preformed screw fastener caphaving a non-collapsible cylindrical upper portion which fits over thehead of the fastener and a circumferential resilient clip or catch anthe lower end which snap fits over a metal washer beneath the head ofthe fastener and compresses a rubber washer beneath the metal washer.

Henry, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,380 discloses a pre-cast dome-shapedprotective cover for cap screws having a dome-shaped outer shell filledwith a curable sealant which is pressed over the exposed end of afastener.

Coleman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,770 discloses a preformed dome-shapedprotective cover for cap screws having a central cavity with an annularcompression ring and annular gripping rings on the interior of thecavity which engage the head of the fastener. The cover is pressed ontothe head of the fastener with a tool having a concave recess which mateswith the hemispherical exterior of the cover.

Simpson et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,936,938, 5,096,759, and U.S. Pat. No.5,142,837 discloses laminated sheets of roofing material and process formanufacturing the sheets in rolls. The laminated sheets have a top layerof aluminum foil adhesively bonded to a polyethylene layer, anunderlying layer asphalt, and a release paper covering the bottomsurface of the asphalt. The roofing material sheets are applied over aroofing surface as a series of elongate overlapping parallel strips.

Best, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,666 discloses a two-piece protectivewaterproof cover assembly which includes a rigid dome-shaped cover whichoverlies the head of the fastener and provides a cavity around the headto permit loosening of the fastener and movement of the head away fromthe surface on which is is initially installed. A circular flexible padhaving an adhesive on its bottom surface overlies the dome-shaped coverand adheres it to the support structure.

The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general,and these patents in particular by a pliable flat disk of laminatedconstruction having a thin top layer of deformable material bonded to arelatively thicker intermediate layer of pliable adhesive sealantmaterial and a removable bottom layer of release paper covering theexposed surface of the sealant material. The flat disk is deformedduring installation to cover and seal the head of a fastener protrudingfrom a surface. The disk is installed and deformed by a tool having anend with a recess slightly deeper than the height of the head of thefastener and an interior slightly larger than the outer periphery of thehead of the fastener. The release paper is removed to expose theadhesive sealant material and the flat disk is generally centered andplaced, adhesive side down, onto the fastener head. The tool is thencentered above the disk and fastener head and pressed downwardly with atwisting motion to deform the flat disk to encompass and conformsubstantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and cover asurface radially surrounding the fastener head such that the deformeddisk is adhered to the fastener head and to the radially surroundingsurface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tight seal between thefastener head and the radially surrounding surface and to preventrelative movement therebetween. It will also cover and seal a washer ifone is used with the fastener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a moldableself-adhering cover for the head of a fastener and method ofinstallation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a moldableself-adhering cover for fastener heads which will deform duringinstallation to encapsulate and seal fastener heads and washers ofvarious sizes to the radially surrounding surfaces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a moldable self-adheringcover for fastener heads that is initially a flat disk which is deformedduring installation to encapsulate and seal fastener heads and washersto radially surrounding surfaces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a moldable self-adheringcover for fastener heads in the form of a pliable flat disk of laminatedconstruction which is deformed during installation to encapsulate andseal fastener heads and washers to radially surrounding surfaces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a moldable self-adheringcover for fastener heads which will effect an air-tight and liquid-tightseal between the fastener head and radially surrounding surface andprevent relative movement therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide a moldable self-adheringcover for fastener heads which has a deformable outer layer which willreflect heat and light.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool for installingfastener covers which has at least one end adapted to receive and deforma moldable flat disk onto fastener heads and washers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for quickly andinexpensively covering and sealing the head of a fastener protrudingfrom a surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide a system of apparatusfor covering and sealing fastener heads which occupies a small amount ofspace and is easily transported.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a moldableself-adhering cover for fastener heads which is simple in constructionand economical to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to timethroughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related.

The above noted objects and other objects of the invention areaccomplished by a pliable flat disk of laminated construction having athin top layer of deformable material bonded to a relatively thickerintermediate layer of pliable adhesive sealant material and a removablebottom layer of release paper covering the exposed surface of thesealant material. The flat disk is deformed during installation to coverand seal the head of a fastener protruding from a surface. The disk isinstalled and deformed by a tool having an end with a recess slightlydeeper than the height of the head of the fastener and an interiorslightly larger than the outer periphery of the head of the fastener.The release paper is removed to expose the adhesive sealant material andthe flat disk is generally centered and placed, adhesive side down, ontothe fastener head. The tool is then centered above the disk and fastenerhead and pressed downwardly with a twisting motion to deform the flatdisk to encompass and conform substantially to the shape of the head ofthe fastener and cover a surface radially surrounding the fastener headsuch that the deformed disk is adhered to the fastener head and to theradially surrounding surface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tightseal between the fastener head and the radially surrounding surface andto prevent relative movement therebetween. It will also cover and seal awasher if one is used with the fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the top of the moldableself-adhering fastener cover in its initial flat disk configuration inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the bottom of the moldableself-adhering fastener cover with a portion of the release paper peeledback to expose the adhesive sealant layer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section through the moldable self-adheringfastener cover showing the laminated construction.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the deforming tool used to install themoldable self-adhering fastener cover.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section through the deforming tool.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one end of the deforming tool showing asquare recess for receiving a driving tool.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one end of the instalation tool showing ahexagonal recess for receiving a driving tool.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section view showing a transverse borethrough one end of the deforming tool through which a rod is installedto serve as a handle for the tool.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of a typical fastener head andwasher installed on a surface secured by the fastener.

FIG. 10 is a cross section through the disk showing it bent into aV-shaped configuration and placed on the fastener head, and showing thedisk in a generally flat condition in dashed line.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross section through the lower portion of thedeforming tool showing the moldable self-adhering fastener coverdeformed to encapsulate and seal the head of the fastener and washer.

FIG. 12 is a cross section through the disk with the deforming toolremoved showing the moldable self-adhering fastener cover conformedsubstantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and adhered tothe fastener head and washer, and to the surface radially surroundingthe washer.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view showing the fastener cover conformedsubstantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and adhered tothe fastener head and washer, and to the surface radially surroundingthe washer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a preferred moldable self-adhering fastener cover 10.Prior to installation, the fastener cover 10 is in the form of a thinflat disk. The fastener cover 10 is of laminated or sandwichconstruction.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the fastener cover 10 has a top layer deformablematerial. The deformable material may be any suitable material such asaluminum, cloth, rubber, etc. In a preferred metallic embodiment the toplayer is formed of thin flexible aluminum foil 11 having a preferredthickness of approximately 0.0005 inches (0.5 mils). Preferably, thealuminum foil has a dimpled surface texture. The aluminum foil layer 11is adhesively bonded to the top surface of a polyethylene film layer 12having a preferred thickness of approximately 0.004 inches by a suitableadhesive (not shown). A layer of a suitable adhesive such a bitumenasphalt adhesive 13, butyl rubber adhesive, or other suitable adhesivematerial is bonded to the bottom surface of the polyethylene film layer12, and a release paper 14 is applied over the bottom surface of theadhesive layer 13. In a preferred cloth-top embodiment the deformablematerial is a polycloth material such as a polycloth materialmanufacured by Dupont Company under the tradename SONTARA.

A preferred polyethylene film material is a cross-link high-densityfilm, such as a polyethylene film sold by Van Leer Plastics under thetrademark VALERON 4020. A preferred adhesive for bonding thepolyethylene film is a resin adhesive, such as a resin adhesive sold byDupont Company under the trademark SURLYN. A preferred release paper isa commercially available densified bleached Kraft paper coated with asilicone compound sold by Mead Release Products or James RiverCorporation. It should be understood, that other equivalent polyethylenefilm, adhesive bonding materials, and release paper may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The preferred bitumen material is a straight-run asphalt having asoftening point in the range of from about 100° F. to about 120° F., anda penetration of about 90-140 dmm, and may include additives such asstyrene-butadiene radial block polymers, aromatic processing oil,hydrocarbon tackifying resin, an antioxidant to minimize cross-linkingof the molecules of asphalt, and silica sand as a filler.

A preferred bitumen asphalt mixture incorporates the followingingredients in the corresponding proportions: about 63 parts bitumen;about 12 parts styrene-butadiene radial block polymers; about 12 parts325 mesh grade ground silica sand as a filler; about 7 parts aromaticprocessing oil; about 5 parts hydrocarbon tackifying resin; and about0.4 parts antioxidant.

Suitable commercially available styrene-butadiene radial blockco-polymers (thermal plastic elastomers) are sold under the trademarkSOLPRENE by Phillips Petroleum and under the trademark FINAPRENE by FinaOil and Chemical Company. A suitable commercially available aromaticprocessing oil is sold under the trademark SUNDEX by Sun Oil Company. Asuitable commercially available hydrocarbon tackifying resin is soldunder the trademark ESCOREZ by Exxon Chemical Company. A suitablecommercially available antioxidant is sold under the trademark STALITEby Vanderbuilt Company.

A preferred method for producing the flat disk-shaped fastener covers 10is to form an elongated sheet of material having the layers as describedabove by conventional lamination manufacturing methods, and thendie-punching the flat disk configurations from the sheet of material.The disks may also be provided in the form of a "peel-and-stick"construction wherein the disk shapes are die cut into a laminated sheetof material such that the disks can be peeled off of the release paperto expose the adhesive sealant bottom surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the deforming tool 20 used to installthe fastener covers 10 is shown. The tool 20 is a generally cylindricalmember formed of rigid material such as wood or plastic having flatsurfaces 21 and 22 at opposite ends. The exterior diameter of each flatend surface 21 and 22 is approximately the same diameter as the diameterof the flat disk 10. A central longitudinal bore 23 extends through thecenter of the tool 20. The central bore 23 is of a diameter slightlylarger than the outer periphery of the head of the fastener to becovered. One flat end 22 of the tool 20 has a stepped counterbore 24 ofa diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of a washer which maybe used with the fastener to be covered. The counterbore 24 defines aradial shoulder 25 between the interior diameter of the central bore 23and the outer diameter of the counterbore 24. As explained hereinafterthe counterbored end 22 of the tool 20 is used to cover fasteners havinga washer installed between the head of the fastener to be covered andthe surface of the material being secured by the fastener.

Although the deforming tool 20 is illustrated by way of example ashaving a single counterbore, it should be understood that a plurality ofstepped counterbores may also be provided so that a single tool may beused for installing disks on a range of different fastener and washersizes. It should also be understood that both ends of the tool 20 may beprovided with recesses of different sizes for receiving various sizes offastener heads and washers. Alternatively, the upper end of the tool 20may be configured to receive various drivers for rotating the tool. Theexterior side wall of the tool 20 may also be provided with a tubularsleeve formed of resilient material, such as rubber, to provide acomfortable and secure hand gripping surface for gripping andmanipulating the tool as described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 there are shown several modificationsof the deforming tool 20 which are configured to receive a driving toolfor applying the downward and rotational movement. FIG. 6 shows a squarerecess 30 which extends downwardly a short distance from the end 21 toreceive the driver member of a socket wrench. FIG. 7 shows a hexagonalrecess 31 which extends downwardly a short distance from the end 21 toreceive a mating hexagonal male member of a suitable driver. FIG. 8shows transverse bore 32 near the end 21 of the tool 20 through which arod 33 may be installed to serve as a handle for the tool and theresilient sleeve 26 only extends beyond the lower flat end 22 of thetool.

INSTALLATION

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 13, the method of installing anddeforming the disk-shaped moldable self-adhering fastener covers 10 willbe described. In the following description the example of a fastener Fto be covered is a metal roofing bolt having a hexagonal head H and awasher W installed between the head of the fastener and the surface S ofthe material being secured by the fastener. This type of fastener iscommonly used to secure metal roofs and metal siding panels tounderlying support members, and the deforming tool 20 is shown orientedwith the counterbored end 22 of the tool down to cover the fastener headH and the washer W.

Also in the following example the deforming tool 20 is shown with thecounterbored end 22 down for installing the disks 10 on fasteners havinga washer beneath the bolt head. However, it should be understood, thatthe tool may be inverted and used with the non-counterbored end 21 downfor installing the disks on fasteners which do not have a washer beneaththe bolt head.

The exposed surfaces of the fastener head H and washer and the surface Saround the fastener F (FIG. 9) are thoroughly cleaned to remove foreignmaterials such as oil, dirt, grease, caulking, loose rust or paint,mildew, and leave a clean surface with only tightly adhered paint andperhaps some tightly adhered rust. Worn fasteners should be replaced andall fasteners should be tightened before applying the fastener cover.

The protective release paper 14 is peeled off the bottom of the disk 10to expose the tacky adhesive surface 13 (FIG. 2) or if provided insheets, the disk is peeled off the sheet, and the center of the disk isstuck, adhesive side down, onto the fastener head H. FIG. 10 shows amethod for quickly and easily centering and applying the disk to thefastener head. In this method, the outer diameter of the disk is grippedby the tumb and fingers of the installer and squeezed to bend it alongits midsection into a generally V-shaped configuration (i.e., looselyfolded in half). The apex of V-shape or midsection of the disk, iscentered and pressed, adhesive side down, to stick the disk onto the topof the fastener head H. Depending upon the materials of construction,the disk, when released, may resume its original flat condition,indicated in dashed line. Otherwise, the installer may press down on theouter sides of the disk to generally flatten it out to a generally flathorizontal configuration.

After the disk 10 has been stuck onto the fastener head, the tool 20 isgripped in the hand of the installer and centered above the disk affixedto the head H of the fastener F with the longitudinal tool axis alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the fastener and then the tool is pusheddownwardly and twisted about its longitudinal axis.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the disk 10 deforms under the downward andtwisting force to encapsulate the head H of the fastener and adhere tothe fastener head to the surfaces radially surrounding the fastenerhead. As shown in the examples of fasteners having a washer (FIGS. 9through 13), as the disk 10 deforms, the smaller central bore 23 of thetool 20 deforms the disk to conform to and seal the fastener head H tothe washer W, and the counterbore 24 and shoulder 25 deforms the disk toseal the washer W to the surface S being fastened, and the flat endsurface 22 of the tool seals the peripheral surface of the disk to thesurface S radially surrounding the washer.

Thus, after deformation, the fastener cover 10 provides an air-tight andliquid-tight seal between the fastener head and the radially surroundingsurface to prevent leaks, rust, and also prevents fastener movement sothat it will not back out or become loosened (FIG. 13).

After the fastener cover has been installed, the aluminum top layer 11provides a reflective surface which reflects heat and light and protectsthe fastener and the asphalt adhesive layer 13 of the cover from thedetrimental effects of infrared and ultraviolet light rays which wouldotherwise tend to polymerize the hydrocarbon molecules in the bitumenasphalt.

The polyethelene film layer 12 bonded between the aluminum foil layer 11and the asphalt adhesive sealant layer 13 provides additional structuralintegrity to the bitumen asphalt sealant material. To further seal thefastener, an epoxy paint or roof coating may be applied over thefastener cover after is has been installed on the fastener.

While this invention has been described fully and completely withspecial emphasis upon a preferred embodiment, it should be understoodthat within the scope of the appended claims the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described herein.

We claim:
 1. In combination, a pliable flat disk and and a deformingtool for deforming the disk to cover and seal the head of a fastenerprotruding from a surface:said pliable flat disk being of laminatedconstruction having a thin top layer of deformable material bonded to arelatively thicker layer of pliable adhesive sealant material; saiddeforming tool having an end with a recess slightly deeper than theheight of the head of the fastener and said recess having an interiorslightly larger than the outer periphery of the head of the fastener;said flat disk being deformed onto the head of the fastener by exposingsaid adhesive sealant material, generally centering it over the top ofsaid fastener head with said adhesive sealant material facing down, andthen sticking it onto the top of said fastener head; and placing saidtool recess onto said disk and pressing said tool downwardly to deformsaid flat disk to encompass and conform substantially to the shape ofthe head of the fastener and cover a surface radially surrounding thefastener head such that said deformed disk is adhered to said fastenerhead and to the radially surrounding surface to provide an air-tight andliquid-tight seal between said fastener head and the radiallysurrounding surface and to prevent relative movement therebetween. 2.The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid flat disk is deformedonto the head of the fastener by pressing said tool downward andtwisting said tool to deform said flat disk to encompass and conformsubstantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and cover asurface radially surrounding the fastener head such that said deformeddisk is adhered to the fastener head and to the radially surroundingsurface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tight seal between thefastener head and the radially surrounding surface and to preventrelative movement therebetween.
 3. The combination according to claim 1whereinsaid fastener has a washer disposed between said surface and thehead of the fastener; said deforming tool recess has a counterboreslightly deeper than the height of the washer and an interior slightlylarger than the outer periphery of the washer; and said flat disk isdeformed onto the head of the fastener and washer by pressing said tooldownward to deform said flat disk to encompass and conform substantiallyto the shape of the head of the fastener and the washer and cover asurface radially surrounding the washer such that said deformed disk isadhered to the fastener head and the washer and the radially surroundingsurface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tight seal between thefastener head, the washer, and the radially surrounding surface and toprevent relative movement therebetween.
 4. The combination according toclaim 3 whereinsaid flat disk is deformed onto the head of the fastenerand washer by pressing said tool downward and twisting said tool todeform said flat disk to encompass and conform substantially to theshape of the head of the fastener and the washer and cover a surfaceradially surrounding the washer such that said deformed disk is adheredto the fastener head and the washer and the radially surrounding surfaceto provide an airtight and liquid-tight seal between the fastener head,the washer, and the radially surrounding surface and to prevent relativemovement therebetween.
 5. The combination according to claim 1whereinsaid deforming tool is a generally cylindrical member of rigidmaterial having a flat end and a circular recess in said flat end, saidcircular recess being slightly deeper than the height of the head of thefastener and having an interior diameter slightly larger than the outerperiphery of the head of the fastener.
 6. The combination according toclaim 1 whereinsaid deforming tool is a generally cylindrical member ofrigid material having a flat end with a circular recess and a circularcounterbore in said flat end, said circular recess being slightly deeperthan the height of the head of the fastener and having an interiordiameter slightly larger than the outer periphery of the head of thefastener; and said circular counterbore being slightly deeper than theheight of a washer beneath the head of the fastener and having aninterior diameter slightly larger than the outer periphery of thewasher.
 7. The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid flat diskhas a polyethylene film layer bonded between said top layer ofdeformable material and said layer of pliable adhesive sealant material.8. The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid top layer ofdeformable material material is a light-reflective and heat reflectivematerial.
 9. The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid top layerof deformable material is a synthetic cloth material.
 10. Thecombination according to claim 1 whereinsaid top layer of deformablematerial is a metallic material.
 11. The combination according to claim10 whereinsaid metallic material is aluminum.
 12. The combinationaccording to claim 1 whereinsaid flat disk has a thin top layer ofaluminum material, a polyethylene film layer bonded to said top layer ofaluminum material, and an intermediate layer of pliable adhesive sealantmaterial bonded to said polyethylene film layer.
 13. A method forcovering and sealing the head of a fastener protruding from a surfacecomprising the steps of;providing a pliable flat disk of laminatedconstruction having a thin top layer of deformable material bonded to arelatively thicker layer of pliable adhesive sealant material; providinga deforming tool having a recess slightly deeper than the height of thehead of the fastener and having an interior slightly larger than theouter periphery of the head of the fastener; generally centering saiddisk over the top of said fastener head with said adhesive sealantmaterial facing down, and then sticking it onto the top of said fastenerhead; placing said tool recess onto said disk and pressing said tooldownwardly to deform said flat disk to encompass and conformsubstantially to the shape of the head of the fastener and cover asurface radially surrounding the fastener head such that said deformeddisk is adhered to said fastener head and to the radially surroundingsurface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tight seal between thefastener head and the radially surrounding surface and to preventrelative movement therebetween.
 14. The method according to claim 13,whereinsaid pliable flat disk has a removable bottom layer of releasepaper covering the exposed surface of said sealant material; and saidrelease paper is removed to expose said adhesive sealant material priorto said step of generally centering said disk over the top of saidfastener head.
 15. The method according to claim 13, whereina pluralityof pliable flat disks are provided in a sheet; and a said disk is peeledoff of said sheet to expose said adhesive sealant material prior to saidstep of generally centering said disk over the top of said fastenerhead.
 16. The method according to claim 13 whereinsaid step of generallycentering said disk over the top of said fastener head includes manuallybending said flat disk in half along its midsection to form a generallyV-shaped configuration, generally centering the apex of V-shape,adhesive side down, above said fastener head and pressing down, to sticksaid disk onto the top of said fastener head.
 17. The method accordingto claim 16 including the further step ofafter sticking said disk ontothe top of said fastener head, manually flattening said V-shapedconfiguration to a generally flat horizontal configuration.
 18. Themethod according to claim 13 whereinsaid step of pressing said tooldownward includes twisting said tool to deform said flat disk toencompass and conform substantially to the shape of the head of thefastener and cover a surface radially surrounding the fastener head suchthat said deformed disk is adhered to the fastener head and to theradially surrounding surface to provide an air-tight and liquid-tightseal between the fastener head and the radially surrounding surface andto prevent relative movement therebetween.
 19. The method according toclaim 13 whereinsaid fastener has a washer disposed between said surfaceand the head of the fastener, said installation tool recess has acounterbore slightly deeper than the height of the washer and aninterior slightly larger than the outer periphery of the washer; andsaid step of pressing said tool downwardly includes deforming said flatdisk to encompass and conform generally to the shape of the head of thefastener and the washer and cover a surface radially surrounding thewasher such that said disk is adhered to the fastener head and thewasher and the radially surrounding surface to provide an air-tight andliquid-tight seal between the fastener head, the washer, and theradially surrounding surface and to prevent relative movementtherebetween.
 20. The method according to claim 19 whereinsaid step ofpressing said tool downward includes twisting said tool to deform saidflat disk to encompass and conform substantially to the shape of thehead of the fastener and the washer and cover a surface radiallysurrounding the washer such that said disk is adhered to the fastenerhead and the washer and the radially surrounding surface to provide anair-tight and liquid-tight seal between the fastener head, the washer,and the radially surrounding surface and to prevent relative movementtherebetween.